Museum Staff

Rita Bodwell retired from Indiana public schools after almost 33 years of service. During her tenure she served in several capacities, including 28 years as the Executive Secretary to the principal. Her interests include Miami ILR, McGuffey Museum history, gardening, reading and traveling around the world with her husband. An Indiana resident, Rita's family includes two daughters, two son-in-laws and four grandchildren.

DocentJohn Clover

About John

John Clover is a retired local educator who brings his love of nature and community involvement to the McGuffey House and Museum. John taught elementary grades 4 & 5 at Lincoln Heights Elementary School, and later became a guidance counselor at Talawanda High School, where he retired as Head of the Guidance Office. He also served as the YMCA Camp Director at Camp Campbell Gard, where he developed their Environmental Education Program and ran the summer camp program. For more than 40 years, he has been part of Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity.

Student Aides

Alex Gregory

About Alex

Alex Gregory is a double major in English Literature and History with a double minor in Archaeology and Museum Studies. She grew up in Liberty Twp., Ohio and plans on furthering her education by attending grad school and studying history. This past summer she studied abroad in London with an internship at the Ragged School Museum.

Katie Staffiera

About Katie

Katie Staffiera is a sophomore Middle Childhood Education and Spanish double major from Cincinnati, Ohio. When she isn’t in class or studying, Katie can be found reading, spending time with her friends around campus, or dancing in Phillips Hall with the Dance Theatre program. She is also a member of Miami’s Urban Cohort program, which collaborates with high-need schools and community-based organizations to prepare teachers who are grounded in the life of the community. Katie is so excited to be working in the McGuffey Museum and to get the chance to share her love of history and education with everyone!

William Holmes McGuffey House and Museum

A National Historic Landmark We aim to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit materials relating to the life of William Holmes McGuffey, the McGuffey Eclectic Reader series, the history of Miami University, and 19th century domestic life and architecture of southwest Ohio.